Ready to launch counter highway bandh against SAP0 bandh: UCM

Imphal: United Committee Manipur (UCM) will launch counter national highway bandh in support with civil society organisation of Assam if Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) fails to immediately withdraw its indefinite bandh along national highway connecting Assam and Manipur through Nagaland.

Earlier SAPO had claimed that the indefinite bandh along the  highway was imposed against the failure of Manipur government to withdraw its armed personnel and permanent structures from Kezoltsa.

UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam told reporters here on Monday that UCM will never compromise on territorial boundary of Manipur and if SAPO wanted to claim their demand they should consult with the Nagaland government.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh in the recently concluded Assembly session had informed the House that 2/3 of the entire area of Dzuko valley belongs to Manipur and remaining is for Nagaland. The present issue raised by SAPO is not a territorial boundary issue as the state territorial boundary is already mentioned clearly on the boundary map of Manipur and Nagaland, Joychandra said.

The armed personnel of an IRB post was set up at Kezolta which is constructed 100 metre inside the Manipur boundary and the demand of SAPO to withdraw the said armed personnel from the area is irrelevant. UCM appreciate the stand of CM Biren that Manipur government will never compromise a single inch of land regarding the issue, he added.

SAPO should consult with Nagaland government for its claim as consulting the issue with chief minister of Manipur will not bring any solution, he suggested.

Joychandra also said imposing indefinite bandh along the national highway will not bring a solution. They should withdraw the indefinite bandh immediately. UCM will take a field visit at Dzuko valley if failed to bring an amicable solution.

UCM extended its appreciation towards the step taken by All Assam Manipuri Youth Association for launching indefinite counter bandh on Sunday midnight.

AAMYA says the indefinite counter bandh will be continuing until the indefinite national highway bandh of SAPO is withdrawn.

It said it had informed SAPO to consult with the Nagaland government instead of imposing national highway bandh. As SAPO fails to listen AAMYA the counter indefinite bandh will be continued.